Grid structure for refrigerators



April 17, 1951 G. ROUD 2,549,015

GRID STRUCTURE FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed NOV. 10, 1936 INVEN 1 OR.

Patented Apr; 17, 1951 GRID STRUCTURE FOR REFRIGERATORS Gust Roud, Evansville, Ind., assignor to Servel,

Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application November 10, 1936, Serial No. 110,077

My invention relates to grid structures'for use in the production of ice cubes in refrigerators.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved flexible grid structure which is inexpensive, readily assembled, and from which ice cubes can easily be removed by a simple bending action of the grid structure.

The invention, together with the object and advantages thereof, will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and of which Fig. 1 is a plan view of an ice tray within which is positioned a flexible grid structure embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the grid structure shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the flexible grid structure bent or bowed to illustrate more clearly the manner: in which ice cubes are removed therefrom.

In Fig. 1, a grid structure I is shown positioned in an ice tray H which is provided with an outward extending flange l2 about the upper. edges of the walls thereof. The flange l2 at one end of the tray is slightly wider and bent downward at its extreme end to provide a finger grip for the tray.

The grid structure I!) comprises a plurality of spaced transverse partitions or dividing members H; which are substantially the same depth as the tray I l and extend between the longitudinal side walls thereof. Between the transverse members [4 are arranged a plurality of aligned vertical longitudinal dividing members [5 which also are substantially the same depth as the tray l I. The bottom corners of the longitudinal members l5 are directly hinged or pivotally connected to the bottom edges of the transverse members M. This may be accomplished by securing a pair ofsniall angle members l6, as by spot welding, for ex ample, to each face of a transverse member M, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1; The arms of the angle members It extending away from the transverse members M are in spaced relation and are adaptedto receive the bottom corners of the longitudinal members I5. The bottom corners of the longitudinal members l5 and outward extending arms of the angle members It are provided with openings to receive pins I! which are fastened to the angle members l6.

A pair of levers 18 are pivotally connected to the top outer corners of the end longitudinal members I5 for removing the grid structure H) from the tray II and for applying force to the grid structure to bow or flex the latter to free ice cubes therefrom. The levers l 8 are pivotally con- 5 Claims. (Cl. 62-1085) 2 nected to the end longitudinal members ,l5 by pins I9 which. extend through openings in the members I 5 and forked rounded inner ends of the levers. The forked rounded inner ends of the levers l8 are so formed that, when the levers are pulled upward from'the position shown in Fig. 1, the extreme outer portions 20 bear against the upper edges of the end walls of the tray to remove the grid structure from the tray. After the grid structure It has been removed from the tray H, the levers [8 can be moved to the horizontal position shown in Fig. 2 with the levers in alignment with the longitudinal members l5. The slots2l formed at the forked inner ends of the levers l8 are such that, when the levers are moved to this position, the inner ends of the slots bear against the vertical edges of the end longitudinal members I 5, whereby further downward movement of the levers causes the transverse and longitudinal members 14 and I5 to bow or arch, as shown in Fig. 3.

To permit angular movement of the transverse and longitudinal members l4 and I5 and also limit the extent to which the grid structure H) can be bowed or arched when downward force is applied to the levers 18, the bottom corners of the longitudinal members I5 are slightly rounded, as indicated at 22 in Fig. 2. By sloping the vertical edges of the longit"dinal members l5 away from the transverse members I 4 at the bottom edges of these members, each longitudinal member can be angularly moved away from an ad acent transverse member a limited distance until the sloping portion 22 of the longitudinal member bears against the face of a transverse member.

In using the grid structure just described, the structure is positioned in a tray, as shownin Fig. 1, and the latter is filled with water. After the water has been frozen and ice cubes have been produced by placing the tray in a cooling unit of a refrigerator, the tray is taken out of the cooling unit and the grid structure removed from the tray in the manner described above. With the levers I8 in the horizontal position shown in Fig. 2, downward force is applied to the levers to flex or bow the grid structure. as shown in Fig. 3. This is preferably accomplished by holding the levers l8 and simultaneously applying such downward force to the levers. The ice cubes are readily released by flexing or bowing the grid structure, the ice cubes at the ends of the structure being released first. When the downwardv force is first applied to the levers l8, the force is transmitted directly to the end longitudinal members l5 and causes the latter to be moved angularly with respect to the adjacent transverse members l4. When the end longitudinal members 15 have been moved angularly such a distance that the sloping portions 22 bear against the faces of adjacent transverse members Hi, the force applied to the levers I8 is transmitted directly to the end transverse members l4 and they are caused to be moved angularly with respect to the longitudinal members 15 adjacent to the end longitudinal members. In this manner the force applied to the lever I8 is transmitted throughout the grid structure from :thezends'there'of 'toward the center until all of the ice cubes have been released.

In flexing or bowing the grid "structure, the separation of the longitudinal members l and transverse members 14 causes the "i'c'eicubes llto peel from the transverse members, and .theangular movement of the longitudinal members "15 with respect to the transverse members I4 causes 'the' ice-eubesto peel fromthe longitudinal members. By-directlyhinging the partitions or dividing members id and I5 adjacent the edges of said members in the bottom plane of the grid structure and having no other connection therebetween, the'force applied to the operating levers l-8"is= elfectively transmitted directly to the members toifree 'the ice cubestherefrom. With this particular grid structural am able to use solid walls or dividing members whereby the cost of manufacture 'isreduced considerably over grid structures formed-ofdouble wall partitions. It is to'be understood, however, that double wall partitions-oridividingmembers may also be used in practicin'g'my invention. By employing solid wall dividing-members stamped from sheet metal andionly using "a relatively'few different parts, I providefa'grid structure which'can be quickly and easily assembled and is inexpensive to manufacture.

Although I have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that modifications and changes may be .made'withoutdepartingfrom the'spirit and scope ofmy invention.

What is claimed is:

1. :A flexible grid structure for refrigerators comprising arplurality of spaced transverse wall members, a plurality of aligned vertical longitue dinal 'dividing "members arranged between said transverse members, spaced "arms fixed to the sides ?of said'transverse members adapted to receive a bottom 'corner'of said longitudinal members, said arms and bottom corners of said longitudinal members being hinged, the vertical edges ofrsaid longitudinalfmembers adjacent the liottom teorners thereof sloping away from said transverse members to permit said transverse and longitudinal members to be moved angularly with respect to each other and to limit the extent such angular movement.

2. A distortable grid for refrigerator ice freezing trays comprising a plurality of spaced transverse walls, a plurality of aligned longitudinal .walls between said transverse walls, the bottom corners of said longitudinal wallsbeing connected .to the bottom edges of said transverse walls by a pivotal joint to permit angular fractures at said transverse walls upon distortion of the grid.

3. A distortable grid for refrigerator ice freezingtrays and-comprising a plurality of alternate transverse andlongitudinal walls in substantially vertical intersecting planes, interconnecting hinges to permit relative movement upon exertionof adistorting force, and constructed and arranged so that said :fOI'CB is exerted upon a longitudinal wall through a transverse wall.

4. A distortable'grid for refrigerator ice freezing trays comprising aplurality of spaced transverse walls in substantially upright parallel planes. a plurality of intermediate longitudinal walls in substantially the same'uprightplane intersecting said transverse walls, and interconnections formed by hinges on said transverse walls so that a distorting force may be applied to swing one longitudinal wall before exertion of force on the next.

5. A distortabie grid for refrigerator ice'freezing trays comprising a plurality of spaced transverse walls, a plurality-of aligned longitudinal walls between said transverse'walls, the longitudinal Walls being connected to said transverse walls by pivotal joints to permit progressiveangular fractures 'at said transverse walls upon distortion of the grid, and'saidlongitudinal'walls being so shaped that the'angleo'f said fractures is predetermined.

GUST ROUD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 852,608 Matthews May '7, 2,009,803 'Hallock July 30, 1935 2,011,849 Chilton Aug. 20, 1935 2,025,290 Kisselle Dec. 24, 1935 2,037,520 I Anderson Apr. 14, 1936 2,118,211 Lutz May 24,1938 2,147,495 .Miner Feb. 14,-1939 2,449,743 I 'I-Iallock Sept.'21, 1948 

